Former Stars and Stripes Journalists File Lawsuit Against Department of Defense

Three staff members from the Stars and Stripes military newspaper have filed a lawsuit against the United States Department of Defense, alleging that their recent firing was part of an effort to erode the paper’s independence. In court filings submitted on August 28, 2026, the newspaper’s publisher Max Lederer, editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, and Middle East reporter Lara Korte argued that their First Amendment rights to free speech had been infringed. The Stars and Stripes has long billed itself as an independent source for military news, though it receives government funding for its operations. Last week, the three journalists received notices of termination from the Pentagon that reportedly accused them of insubordination, raising questions about the Defense Department’s commitment to respecting the newspaper’s editorial independence. The complaint accuses the department and several of its leaders, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, of engaging in “extraordinary censorship efforts.” The lawsuit states, “Defendants are attempting to fire Plaintiffs for speaking up as private citizens in support of the press’s freedom to cover military operations.” The case is set to be heard in a district court in Washington, DC. Korte explained the journalists’ reason for filing the lawsuit in a social media post, stating, “Everyone deserves the right to a free and independent press, especially our service members. This lawsuit is about safeguarding the mission of Stars and Stripes journalists so they can continue to do their jobs without fear or retaliation.” This legal action follows a pattern under President Donald Trump of the executive branch being sued for allegedly penalizing reporters and media personalities who do not align with the administration’s viewpoints. The lawsuit references a July interview on CBS Sunday Morning as the “genesis” of the friction between the Stars and Stripes journalists and the Trump administration. Both Korte and Slavin were featured in the segment, where they discussed their work and recent statements from the Pentagon indicating it would seek to redirect the newspaper’s focus. The Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell had previously stated in January that the department would return Stars and Stripes “to its original mission: reporting for our warfighters.” Critics have denounced this modernization initiative as an attempt to reshape the Stars and Stripes’ coverage. The lawsuit highlights the newspaper’s role in reporting on deteriorating conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed without a port stop since November of the previous year. The Stars and Stripes was among the first to report on supply shortages and mental health struggles of the sailors on the ship. Both Trump and Hegseth have denied reports of poor living conditions on the USS Lincoln, labeling such news as “fake.” The lawsuit suggests that the firings may be retaliation for the newspaper’s reporting on these issues. The day after one of its articles was published, the lawsuit alleges that the Defense Department contacted Lederer about firing Korte and Slavin, citing the CBS interview as justification. Lederer did not follow through with the termination notices and instead announced his intention to retire in September, indicating disagreements with the Department of Defense’s leadership direction. However, on August 21, the Department of Defense issued termination notices to all three employees, including Lederer. In April, the newspaper’s ombudsman, Jacqueline Smith, was also fired. Her role included safeguarding the independence of the Stars and Stripes, which has a history dating back to the US Civil War. Korte has worked at the paper since 2024, while Slavin and Lederer have been with the Stars and Stripes for 21 and 25 years, respectively. The lawsuit asserts, “Defense officials and military commanders have long made clear that Stripes would not be subject to interference by military officials,” emphasizing the importance of the newspaper’s historical editorial independence to its mission of providing unbiased journalism to the US military community.